GERRY O'Hagan of O'Hagan design has sought planning permission to redevelop retail buildings at 99-102 Capel Street, Dublin 1. The planning application provides for 21 apartments on the upper floors, a new basement car park with 20 spaces, and a new rear extension of the existing ground-floor shops.

Dublin Corporation has also lodged a planning application to redevelop the Georgian houses at 20 and 21 Parnell Street and the old National Ballroom at the rear. The existing ballroom is to be demolished and replaced by a 200-seater theatre. There will also be a new two-storey art gallery with access from the adjoining Hugh Lane Gallery of Modern Art.

In west Dublin, An Bord Pleanala has cleared the way for McDonalds to develop a drive-through restaurant on the site of Blanchardstown Town Centre.